We all knew that Danilo Gallinari was a versatile guy, but wow. The trilingual Nuggets forward, doing an interview with Univision on Tuesday, was asked if this Nuggets team was better than last season’s team. Creo que si — I think so. And while others think so, too — due to the addition of Andre Iguodala and hopeful emergence of Ty Lawson as an elite point guard — a key reason might be Gallinari himself.

“When he starts knocking down shots,” Lawson said, “we’re a hard team to beat.”

Gallinari could be the X-factor that helps Denver win the Northwest Division (Oklahoma City lost some oomph with the trade Saturday of James Harden), or at least get Denver to the second round in the playoffs, something it’s done only once since 1994.

The Nuggets’ season starts Wednesday night at Philadelphia — Gallo is a game-time decision due to a left ankle sprain — and some folks, notably the stat wizards at Basketball Prospectus, think Denver could actually win the Western Conference.

Gallo is an X-factor because his celebrated ceiling is so high. Remember, he was averaging 17 points per game before the all-star break a season ago, and a pair of injuries (thumb and ankle-chip fracture) slowed him down. The versatile, 6-foot-10 small forward can play in the post or on the perimeter; he can throw fancy passes and rack up free throws; he’s a better defender than given credit for; he’s only 24. But, after his injuries a season ago, he never regained his shooting touch.

“How much responsibility we give him? There’s no question it will be more than last year,” said Nuggets coach George Karl, who predicts Gallinari’s 3-point percentage will be in the “high-30s.”

After an abysmal shooting season (.414), Gallo said he had a rejuvenating summer with his national team and has shot well in camp. Against the Thunder, he was 6-for-13 from 3.

“I think Gallo can be a guy that George Karl can cause a lot of matchup problems with,” said two-time NBA champion Brent Barry, now an analyst on NBA TV. “They can play him at four, and much like Sam Perkins used to do — stretch the defenses in Seattle —even (like)Detlef Schrempf for that matter.

“Gallinari can create the space for Ty to penetrate and put pressure on teams (trying) to slow down a very explosive and potent offensive team. As a whole, they need better 3-point shooting, but Gallo is a utility guy — and Karl is a craftsman that knows how to use him.”

Iguodala used to dislike Gallo. They were Eastern Conference rivals, Iggy with the 76ers, Gallo with the Knicks. Gallo took a jumper while kicking out his legs, and Dre was called for a foul. (“I think he shot like 17 free throws that game,” Iguodala said.) Now, they’re teammates and their coach is giddy about the duo — long perimeter defenders who both gallop down the floor and can be playmakers, even without the ball in their hands.

“He’s a very talented European player — a lot of European players are good but don’t have the physical ability to do things, but he has that,” Iguodala said. “He’ll finish over the top of you. He has a great feel for the game. He’s a smart player.”

As for his ankle, Gallo didn’t sound like this would be a huge deal, though he might sit Wednesday.

“It’s going to be a game-time decision. It’s better than yesterday, but it’s a sprained ankle, so we’ll see how it goes tomorrow in shootaround,” he said Tuesday morning, before heading to Philadelphia. “I was limping yesterday, I’m able to walk almost normally today. Now we’ll see if I can run.”

Injuries derailed his season a year ago. Last season was supposed to be this season. Last season was supposed to be his chance to break out. Now, he’s set for another chance.

Mo Martin, a former Nuggets player, now works at the Pepsi Center. Tuesday he began gushing about Gallinari. To Martin, what makes Gallo great is, sure enough, the guy’s versatility.

Three X-factors for the Nuggets

1. Will Danilo Gallinari be just a guy, or The Guy? He has the talent to emerge as a marquee Western Conference forward. But, can he avoid injuries and rediscover his jumper? It’s time to produce.

2. Will JaVale McGee live up to his contract? Not many players make $11 million and come off the bench, but that’s likely how it will be for McGee until coach George Karl sees a better mastery of the fundamentals.

3. Can Wilson Chandler make an impact? Last season was a lost season for “Ill Will.” And, he spent training camp recovering from hip surgery. But he can be a swarming defender and has a smooth mid-range jumper. Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post

DENVER AT PHILADELPHIA 5 p.m. Wednesday, , ALT, 950 AM/103.1 FM

Spotlight on Jrue Holiday: Each year, the little guard takes big steps toward the top echelon of Eastern Conference point guards. During the preseason, he averaged 6.5 assists for Philly. “The Holiday kid has a lot of freedom,” Nuggets coach George Karl said. “He’s really developed into a leading point guard in our league.”

NOTEBOOK76ers: Philadelphia was 6-1 in the preseason, tying Toronto for the best record in the Eastern Conference. The 76ers averaged 102.7 points per game. … Lavoy Allen averaged eight rebounds per game in the preseason. Allen is just one of five players who were on Philadelphia’s roster last season. … Last season, the 76ers had their first winning season since 2004-05. … About Philadelphia, Karl said: “We want to pressure them into making mistakes. They play a lot of shooters and not a lot of decision-makers… The 3-ball, we’ve got to run them off it.” Nuggets: Sure enough, Andre Iguodala’s first game with the Nuggets will be against the team that drafted him in 2004 and ultimately traded him to Denver. … The Nuggets have won six of their past nine games at Philadelphia. … The Nuggets have won four out of their past five season openers. … Center Kosta Koufos averaged 8.7 rebounds per game in the preseason, which was good for fifth-best in the NBA. … Reserve Corey Brewer, who could get extended playing time if Danilo Gallinari (ankle) sits out, averaged 15.2 points in the preseason.

Benjamin Hochman was a sports columnist for The Denver Post until August 2015 before leaving for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, his hometown newspaper. Hochman previously worked for the New Orleans Times-Picayune, winner of two Pulitzer Prizes for its Hurricane Katrina coverage. Hochman wrote the Katrina-themed book “Fourth and New Orleans,” published in 2007.

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